2019 NBA Draft: 5 Reasons Atlanta Hawks Should Draft Zion Williamson

Defense

An area where the Atlanta Hawks struggled mightily last season was on the defensive end. Just like with everything that makes a basketball team good, Zion Williamson would greatly aid the team on that end.

Though he could sometimes lose focus off the ball, for the most part, Zion’s freakish physical gifts were often employed to tremendous effect on the less glamorous end of the court just as much as they were on the offensive side. Zion produced 1.8 blocks per game in his freshman campaign and 2.1 steals per game – both of which were in the Top 5 in the ACC per College Basketball Reference.

Similarly, his block rate of 5.8 percent was 6th in the ACC and his steal rate of 3.9 percent was 2nd in the ACC – which, just so we have it, is the best conference in NCAA men’s basketball.

Zion leverages his absolutely bonkers leaping ability to affect shots all over the floor, and he is able to use his sterling foot speed and wonderful anticipation to jump passing lanes, smother defenders on the ball and provide help side blocks in the blink of an eye.

Simply watching one game of Zion Williamson play in college is enough to make it clear that he is a brilliant defensive player, and one that the Atlanta Hawks must hope they can attain in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Zion Williamson is a transcendent basketball player that the Atlanta Hawks should do everything in their power to draft in the 2019 NBA Draft. If they do, good things will await the franchise in the near future.